Christiana’s POV.
Daniel’s gaze was firm as he waited for my answer, the tension between the three of us crackling like electricity in the air. 1 could feel Alex’s eyes on me, a storm brewing just beneath the surface, but I wouldn’t be manipulated after everything that had transpired between us. Wouldn’t let him dictate my decisions even after all these years. So, I squared my shoulders, took a deep breath, and made my choice.
“Friday works,” I said, my voice clear and steady.
Daniel’s face broke into a wide, genuine smile, his eyes lighting up with something warm and sincere. “Great,” he said, clearly pleased. He took out his phone, and we exchanged numbers quickly. I’ll pick you up at seven. And say hi to the kids for me, will you?”
“Will do,” I replied with a nod, and Daniel gave me one last grin before turning and walking away. The moment he was out of sight, I felt the atmosphere in the room shift into something heavy and dangerous.
I turned back to Alex, who was practically radiating fury. His eyes were dark, his jaw clenched so tightly I thought it might crack. He took a step closer, towering over me with an intensity that might have been intimidating if I still cared enough to be intimidated by him.
“What the hell was that?” Alex growled, his voice low and menacing.
“None of your business,” I shot back, crossing my arms and holding his gaze. I wasn’t going to be bullied into explaining myself. “Who I hang out with, who I date, it’s not your concern, Alex. Not anymore.”
“It is when it affects our kids!” he snapped, his voice rising. “You think I’m just going to stand by and watch you bring someone like him around them?”
“Someone like him?” I scoffed. “Daniel’s a good man, and he’s been more considerate than you’ve ever been.”
Alex’s eyes flashed with anger, but there was something else beneath it–something almost desperate. “You don’t even know him,” he bit out. “You’re just letting him waltz in like he’s some kind of hero-”
“Maybe because he actually “is a hero,” I shot back, cutting him off. “Unlike some people who just think they can control everything.”
Alex took a step closer, and I could see the muscle in his jaw ticking as he struggled to keep his composure. “I ended things with Bianca,” he said suddenly, his voice rough and edged with frustration.
I blinked, momentarily thrown off balance. “What?”
“I ended it,” he repeated, his eyes boring into mine as if trying to make me see something I was missing. “There’s no fiancée, no engagement, nothing. It’s over.”
I forced myself to keep my expression neutral, even as the shock rippled through me. He ended it? Just like that? But why? I could see he was waiting for a reaction, but I refused to give him one. I wouldn’t let him think this mattered to me not
anymore.
“Congratulations,” I said flatly, my tone devoid of any real emotion. “What do you want, a medal?”
His brows furrowed in frustration. “Christiana, I’m telling you this because-
“Because what, Alex? You think I’m going to suddenly jump for joy and run back into your arms?” I scoffed, shaking my head. “You’ve got to be kidding me. Ending things with Bianca doesn’t erase the past. It doesn’t undo what you did or how you treated me.”
He opened his mouth to say something, but I wasn’t done. “And frankly, I don’t care why you ended things with her. It’s not my problem. You can live your life however you want, but stay out of mine. I’ll let you be involved with the kids because they want to know you, but that’s it. “Stay away from me“.”
The air between us was thick with tension, and for a moment, neither of us said anything. Alex’s eyes searched mine, as if looking for a crack in the armor, some sign that I was affected by what he’d said. But 1 held firm, refusing to let him see the whirlwind of emotions churning inside me.
Chapter 28
“I’m trying to make things right,” he finally said, his voice softer but no less intense.
“Too late,” I replied, my tone cold. “You made your choices, Alex. Now live with them. Just like I’ve had to.”
His face hardened, and I could see the frustration boiling beneath the surface, but he said nothing. There was nothing more to say. He had lost the right to have a say in my life a long time ago.
With one last ley glare, I turned on my heel and walked away, leaving him standing there, stewing in his own mess. He could try to fix things all he wanted, but I wasn’t about to let him waltz back into my life and pretend everything could be okay. Not after everything he put me through..
As I walked back to my office, I could feel the weight of the encounter pressing down on me, but I refused to let it break me, I’d been through worse. I’d survived worse. And I’d be damned if I let Alexander Williams Alistair think he cou
Id control me again.
Not this time.
Never again.
